Friday August 6, Chitina, AK

145 miles

Found out a lot more about the huge numbers of pink salmon spawning in the harbour when we had a chat to a local this morning. Many of the salmon are raised in the hatchery in the bay and released so the salmon return to spawn after being out in the ocean for 4 or 5 years, after which they die. Last week the commercial fisherman were allowed to net them in the bay, over 100 boats were involved and this was to try and reduce the numbers that would only end up dying. The smell is evidently pretty bad. Over 50% of the pink salmon are caught by the commercial guys for canning. 

We drove out to the spawing area again this morning, and had a good look around the hatchery which was in full swing as the eggs were harvested. Once again just missed seeing a bear that had been down to the harbour for “lunch”. Ian had a go at fishing, got 3 on, but lost 2 and he got the other up onto the rocks but as he didn’t have a net, the fish broke the line. 

There has been no rain today and the low cloud that was hanging around for most of the morning had just about completely cleared when we drove over the pass out of Valdez this afternoon. Once of the most majestic drives we have been on, and the views from the top were stunning, looking down on the valley leading into town.

We were heading for the small town of Chitina on the banks of the Copper River where we had heard there was great fishing. This really is a small town, about 30 miles east of the main road with a very small permanent population. But at this time of the year, when the fishing is good there are a lot of people around. The river is full of glacial silt and is in flood at the moment, so not the most attractive. Residents are able to get permits to set up their fish wheels in an area of the river, a great way of harvesting the fish.

We set up camp in a small primitive campsite nearby and had a chat with some of the other campers. As Alaskans they were able to dip net for the salmon, but to get to that area you needed to use 4 wheel bikes and it is very steep and not suitable for fishing with a rod, so no use for Ian.

We had quite a sociable evening around the campfire tonight as we were joined by a few other campers. Enjoyed chatting with Robyn, a trainee doctor from Anchorage working in a native hospital. She has traveled through most of the states in USA and provinces of Canada and is writing a book about traveling as a single woman, she had some fascinating stories. Also several guys who were doing some surveying in the area, and had stayed on for the fishing. People are often curious about the New Zealand on the van and will come and check out if we are really from there, makes for some great conversations.